Pedal power takes over Mallorca this week as 20 professional teams from all over the world arrive on the island to compete in the 19th Tour of Mallorca.
The Mallorca Challenge is an international event and attracts many of the top teams in the cycling world. It consists of a series of five races throughout the island. The first race is a circuit race held around the streets of Palma, and this is followed on day two by a race around the eastern part of the island, starting in Son Severa and finishing in Cala Millor. Day three seeing the start of the mountain races, with a circular route starting and finishing in Inca, which sees a total ascent of approximately 1500 metres. A similar challenge awaits on day four, with a circular mountain route from Deia. The final day tours the hilly south west of the island, starting in Magaluf and finishing in Palmanova.
What makes this year’s competition interesting is that there are 4 pairs of brothers all competing in different teams, and the Schleck Brothers from Team Saxo finished second and fourth in last year’s Tour de France!
They’ll certainly experience the best and worst of Mallorca’s topography with some long distances, steep mountain climbs and city tours involved.
Stage 1, Trofeo Palma (116 Km) – Feb 6th, 11.50. Ten circuits of the city’s streets starting and finishing (at 14.25 ish) at Palma Auditorium
Stage 2, Trofeo Cala Millor (175 Km) – Feb 7th, 11.40. A tour of the east of Mallorca from Son Servera to Cala Millor over mostly flat terrain
Stage 3, Trofeo Inca (157, 2 km) – Feb 8th, 11.35. All across the island from Inca to Soller, featuring some precipitously steep climbs and then back down to Inca.
Stage 4, Trofeo Deià (143 km) – Feb 9th, 12.15. A round trip to Puerto Pollenca and Alcudia taking in some of Mallorca’s most stunning landscapes in the Sierra Tramuntana.
Stage 5, Trofeo Magaluf – Palmanova (158, 5 km) – Feb 10th 11.55. A coastal and mountain route starting and finishing in the Avenida Pere Vaquer Ramis in Magaluf.
These guys are superb athletes with tremendous strength and stamina, and they don’t have look good flashing past in ‘the bunch’ wearing their multicoloured cycling gear! The added bonus is that spectators also get to see some of Mallorca’s most beautiful scenery and just look at the weather in the video!
